Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Domestic and Foreign Pension and Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans (Footnote) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net pension and postretirement benefits cost	$ 0.6

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Net Pension and Postretirement Benefits Cost (Credit)

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	alb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration